27. Summer
Summer
“Are you telling me you kissed Jaxon Chance?” Larissa shrieks over a video call on my way to Lucky Chance.
I absolutely knew she’d lose her mind when I told her.
“It was a mistake,” I confess, my eyes sliding to the phone before I focus on the road again.
It didn’t feel like a mistake. It felt like fireworks exploding through my veins, little bursts of energy and light all the way to my toes.
The best kiss I’ve ever had, which isn’t saying much.
The few kisses I had in my twenties were mostly yawn-inducing.
I was beginning to think the problem was me, that maybe kissing just wasn’t my thing.
And then Jaxon went and proved me wrong.
She pauses with her yogurt mid-bite. “And were you arguing when he kissed you?”
“We were just talking,” I say.
She gasps in delight. “I knew it! You did hate-kiss him!”
I shake my head. “I didn’t say that.”
She points her spoon at the screen. “You didn’t have to. You’re blushing,” she says with a laugh. “And how was it?”
“It went…surprisingly well.” I chew my lip. The date had gone better than I expected. He wasn’t supposed to be thoughtful and a good listener, and I definitely didn’t expect to be charmed by him. And yet. “But it was also way too soon.”
Her face falls. “You didn’t tell him that, did you?”
“Yes, after he picked me up for the market this morning. He even made me coffee.” I shake my head, remembering. “With oat milk, Larissa!”
“Aww,” she says, putting a hand to her heart. “He must really like you.”
“I think so? But I told him we shouldn’t date,” I say. “Professional boundaries and all that. And then he offered me an equal share of Wildflower Weddings.”
“Wait.” She stops eating and stares at me. “He gave you the barn? The one that’s been in his family for four generations?”
Guilt claws at my chest when I think about it.
“Basically. Although not officially,” I clarify, turning down the farm lane.
“He hasn’t gotten permission from his brothers yet, and there are tons of legal details to work out, not to mention financial ones.
But he offered me half of Wildflower Weddings, including the barn. ”
“Just a second.” She tilts her head. “You said yes to the barn, but turned him down for another date?”
“I didn’t turn him down, exactly. More like put him off from rushing into things,” I say. I can tell from Larissa’s furrowed brow that she doesn’t approve. “We need to take things slow.”
“Are you crazy?” Her spoon clatters to the kitchen counter. “You can’t hate-kiss a man and then take things slow!”
“Well, that’s what I need to do, regardless of what I want,” I say plainly. “We both have too much at stake. You know my feelings about my parents’ relationship.”
“I know, but, Summer, you’re not like your mom. And he’s nothing like your dad!”
“Then he should have no problem with our agreement.” Even if I might have a problem with it. Kissing Jaxon was a life-changing experience. The thought of reining myself in around him now feels like volunteering for a torture experiment.
“I even told my mom about him today,” I add.
Her eyes widen. “Did she remember him?”
“She remembered he played hockey,” I say. “Of course, by tomorrow, she might not. But today was a good day.”
I stayed longer than usual at Golden Haven, mostly because Mom was in a good mood—more talkative than normal, and she had a spark in her eyes. That happens less and less these days.
“I still don’t believe it.” Larissa shakes her head. “The man gave you everything you wanted, and then you gave him the 'friends’ speech?”
“It wasn’t like that.” I laugh. “I was being practical.”
She rolls her eyes. “Being practical is dumb. You should’ve thrown yourself at him and kissed the lips right off his face.”
I grimace. “That sounds painful.”
“You know what I mean,” she says, waving a hand. “And how do you take things slow anyway? Or is this just you avoiding your feelings?”
I glance away from the screen as I park the truck in front of the old barn. I don’t want her to see my face and know she’s partially right. “I think I just need proof.”
“Proof of what?” she nearly shrieks. “The man gave you a barn. What more proof do you want?”
I look out the window at the enormous, red building in front of me. “The barn is certainly a perk.”
“It’s a grand gesture!” she squeals.
“Yeah, but it’s not about the barn,” I say. “You know that, right?”
Larissa sighs. “You’re impossible to please.”
“I probably am,” I say with a self-deprecating laugh. “But don’t take anything I say too seriously. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Why didn’t you stop at home first?”
I remove my phone from the car holder. “I will after I unload my truck.”
I knew there would be less of a chance of running into Jaxon tonight, since he has hockey practice followed by a meeting with parents afterward. Meredith was off work, so I didn’t have to drive Remi around.
“Have you heard when Wyatt’s coming home?” Larissa asks casually, trying to pretend she isn’t interested in that Chance brother.
“Nope. But you’ll be the first to know,” I promise.
“Thank you, bestie. And I want another Jaxon report,” Larissa adds with a grin.
“Not happening tonight.” I laugh, then end the call.
When I crawl out of the truck, my vision swims for a second, and I brace myself against the door.
Not eating all day was a bad decision. I got slammed at the market today and sold out of flowers by closing.
Every flower bouquet sold means more money toward my future, so I didn’t stop to get lunch.
And then there was my visit with Mom that went longer than planned.
I wait until the lightheadedness goes away before I start unloading the truck. It’s nearly dark by the time I finish.
“Hey, Summer, have you seen Jaxon?” I whirl around to see Colton striding toward me.
“Not tonight. He’s at hockey practice. Why?”
He stops in front of me and adjusts his hat, worry creasing his brow. “One of the yearlings didn’t come in at feeding time.”
“Which one?”
“Gent’s colt.”
Of course it’s one of our prized stallion’s colts.
“Have you checked the fields?” I ask.
“Haven’t had time yet.” He glances at his watch. “I’m supposed to be at my mom’s birthday party.”
“Don’t worry about the colt,” I say, putting up the tailgate. “You go to the party and I’ll take Sally out to look for him. Hopefully, I’ll find him quickly.”
“Are you sure?” Colton asks. “I could go with you.”
“No,” I say. “You go.” I think of how much I wish I could rewind time, before my mom forgot who I was. “It’s your mom’s special day. That matters more.”
“Thanks, Summer.” Colton gives me a smile before he takes off.
I grab a flashlight from my truck. The nearest Kubota RTV is parked at the foaling barn on the far side of the property. I could track down another one, but saddling Sally is faster. After a day like today, I’d rather be on a horse than behind a steering wheel.
The problem is, it’s dark, I’m alone, and the last time Sally got spooked I ended up getting thrown off. I don’t want to repeat that tonight.
I think about texting Jaxon, but then I hesitate. I don’t want him rushing back for me. Besides, this isn’t the first time I’ve gone out at night on a horse.
I head to the yearling pasture, taking Sally at a slow pace. It’s better to cover the pasture thoroughly than to rush and miss a colt. I hold the reins in one hand and my flashlight in the other, running it along the fence line, trying to spot something moving.
My light catches him near the far fence line, standing too still. I ride over to the colt and figure out why: one front leg is wedged awkwardly beneath the bottom rail.
My stomach turns over in a panic.
“Easy, boy,” I murmur as I approach, not wanting to scare him further and risk doing more damage. Even if the injury is minor, it will make buyers hesitate at Keeneland, and a major injury could mean a sizable loss.
I call the vet on my cell, only to find out Dr. Holcomb is already at another farm thirty minutes away. I don’t have Mollie’s number, but it’s doubtful she could make it here from Lexington any faster. And Earl’s age makes him a liability out here in the dark.
It’s common knowledge on a farm that you should never yank an injured leg from a fence, since forcing the movement might only make it worse. But leaving a colt in pain isn’t an option either.
I call Jaxon’s number instead, even though I know he’s probably still in his meeting. He picks up right away.
“Jaxon, I hope I’m not interrupting,” I begin, trying not to let the worry show in my voice. “But there was no one else to call.”
“I just finished,” Jaxon says. “What’s up?”
“There’s a problem. A colt is caught in the fence in the south yearling pasture. I called the vet but he’s thirty minutes out.”
He pauses. “Is he standing?”
“Yes, but I can’t get his leg free by myself.”
“I’m on my way.”
I keep my hand on the colt until I hear the Kubota approaching.
Jaxon shows up with a pry bar and flashlight, and crouches next to the colt.
I know he’s thinking the same thing I am—how much we’ll lose at Keeneland if this yearling is hurt.
But we can’t dwell on that now. We won’t know how bad the injury is until the vet shows up.
“First thing is to get this horse free.” Jaxon drags a hand over his stubble. “You keep him calm and still while I remove the board.”
I nod, stroking the colt’s neck as Jaxon pries one end of the board free. When he finally removes it, the colt steps backward and immediately lowers his head to sniff at the injured leg. He takes a cautious step. He’s moving carefully, but it’s hard to tell whether he’s sore or simply shaken up.
Jaxon crouches beside him, running a hand down his leg. “The scrape looks ugly, but I don’t see anything obvious.” He looks up at me. “Do you think he can make it back to the barn?”
“Maybe?” I say. “We’ll need to take it slow.”
We leave the Kubota as Jaxon walks the colt back, and I follow behind on Sally.
The colt seems to walk well, which gives me a sliver of hope, but only the vet can tell us for sure. I ride back with a lead weight in my stomach, feeling weak from not eating all day, and worried about the yearling. When we finally get back, Dr. Holcomb is pulling up, along with Earl.
“I called Earl on the way over,” Jaxon says. “He insisted on coming out.”
As soon as the colt is in the vet’s care, I take care of Sally, then join Jaxon waiting outside the barn. The night finally feels like fall has arrived, with a crispness to the air, but it does little to help my head. I slump against the barn, tipping my head back against the wall.
“You okay?” Jaxon asks, studying me.
“Just a little lightheaded, that’s all.” I close my eyes, but the feeling doesn’t go away.
“You sure? You don’t look well.”
“I’m a little…off.” The pressure in my ears builds, like I’ve been swimming underwater. “Just need to eat.”
“When did you last have any food?”
My head lolls to the side to look at him. “Breakfast. And don’t give me any lectures, either.” I manage a weak smile. “I sold out at the market. First time ever.”
“I’m proud of you,” he says. “That’s still no excuse not to take care of yourself.”
“Don’t worry about me, Jaxon. I’ve survived this long on my own.”
His brow creases. “I’m always worried about you, Wildflower.”
He takes my arm, and even in my current state, running on nothing, his touch sends a current through me.
“Can you walk to the house?” he asks.
I open my mouth to say of course I can walk, but my knees buckle without warning, and I go down like a rag doll.
Jaxon catches me before I hit the ground. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs, tightening his arms around me to keep me upright. Even now, I’m aware of his warm, solid body where my cheek meets his shirt, and the faint scent of sandalwood on his skin.
“I can walk,” I mumble, which is laughable, since my legs feel like Jell-O.
“Not a chance,” he says, sweeping me off the ground. “You’re coming with me.”
He carries me the rest of the way. For once, I decide this argument can wait until tomorrow.